HTC One M8 for Windows launches on Verizon for $99 on-contract

As expected, one of the most well-received Android phones of the year is making the move to a rival platform. This morning HTC officially announced that the One M8 is getting a Windows Phone twin brother, and the device is set to launch exclusively on Verizon for $99 on-contract.

The new phone has the exact same hardware specs its Android counterpart, including the same 5-inch, 1080p display, Snapdragon 801 chip and camera configuration. It’s also the exact same phone design-wise featuring a curvy metal chassis except for some Windows Phone and Verizon branding.

In addition, HTC has worked with Microsoft to also bring over some of its homegrown features like BlinkFeed, which aggregates Facebook and Twitter posts along with news, sports and other information; Duo Cam, which lets users refocus images or create 3D perspectives; and Sense TV, which acts as a TV guide and a universal remote. Other features like double-tap-to-wake and support for HTC's Dot View case were ported over as well.

This is HTC’s first major, high-end Windows Phone since the company released the Windows Phone 8X back in late 2012.